San Juan County
WA · Pop. 18,266 · Mixed County
San Juan County, Washington covers 174 square miles with a population of 18,266 and a density of 105 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $727,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 69.7°F and average winter lows of 35.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 49.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 210-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A median home price of $727,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 49.1% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
San Juan County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 34/100
- Median home price
- $727k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 210 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.9"
- Broadband
- 49.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in San Juan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in San Juan County?
- San Juan County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 69.7°F, and average winter lows of 35.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $727,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 49.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Washington Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Washington
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The closest counties to San Juan County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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